Goal of the Common Questions & Issues Section

#1

This will become what is sometimes referred to as a FAQ Section. However, I didn't call it that because I want it to be a useful resource, but I don't want it used to discourage people, especially new members, from asking questions.

I canâ€™t think of a better example of what I think would be the type of information that would be useful in this section than Jim Longleyâ€™s discussion of what to do/expect when flying with firearms. Jim, if you donâ€™t mind, Iâ€™d like to ask you to do a checklist for travelers flying with guns. It would be a great resource.

Thanks,
Chas.

Here is a post from dws1117 with which I whole-heartedly agree:

dws1117 wrote:Generally I am against an FAQ section in a forum type of environment. If it is administered properly it can work to everyone's benefit. From what I have seen that isn't always the case. It seems that FAQ sections often retard good discussion and when someone asks a question they are often just flooded with, sometimes downright rude, responses to just see the FAQ, or "that has been asked again" As an example there is a popular gun related forum who's moderators will lock a thread with nothing more than "that has been asked before", but when someone does a search and posts that old topic the that person get locked out or banned for posting to an old thread.

There are always new people with new and old questions. One of the benefits of this forum has been the discussion. Often some of those discussions have brought new insights or information even though the original post was a question that has been asked before.

I am not opposed to an FAQ section if it is administered correctly, which I have no doubt it would be here.

Any, just MHO.

Kalrog · #2

So is this section going to be something that we (the users) post new topics to or should this be a section that the moderator(s) "move" good threads to? My suggestion would be the latter... Keeps the threads to the actual "common" questions instead of what everyone thinks would be a common question that might end up just cluttering up this section.

#3

Kalrog wrote:So is this section going to be something that we (the users) post new topics to or should this be a section that the moderator(s) "move" good threads to? My suggestion would be the latter... Keeps the threads to the actual "common" questions instead of what everyone thinks would be a common question that might end up just cluttering up this section.

Excellent point! I'll wait for more input, then I'll lock this thread and posts from other sections will be copied to this section as needed. If a thread appears to be popular and not too lengthy, then I'll move it here upon request. We have to be careful to avoid the temptation to ask for too many posts to be moved. If this section gets too crowded it will become useless.

Thanks,
Chas.

gigag04 · #4

Kalrog wrote:So is this section going to be something that we (the users) post new topics to or should this be a section that the moderator(s) "move" good threads to? My suggestion would be the latter... Keeps the threads to the actual "common" questions instead of what everyone thinks would be a common question that might end up just cluttering up this section.

+1 on letting Chas decide what goes in the CQI forum (yes I just made up CQI but I like it)

jbirds1210 · #5

I agree with letting Chas move the posts when appropriate. I think this is a great idea for important and frequent issues. It could be confusing to post things in a FAQ threat where the legality of the issue is not yet clear or still open to things such as legeslative issues.
Jason

jimlongley · #6

OK Chas, I guess you have thrown the gauntlet down.

I'll have to think on it a little - since I left TSA I have been travelling all the time and have been taking my gun with me a lot. Seeing things from the other side has been interesting too.

Like the Delta ticket agent who was trying to explain "FEDERAL LAW" to me when he insisted that my ammo had to be in a separate bag. No such thing BTW, and I got his email and sent him a copy of the law. Should have seen the smirk on his face when I asked him for his email, as if I couldn't possibly know better then he and was merely blustering.

I'll see what I can come up with.

Venus Pax · #7

I think an FAQ is fine, under any form. I do not think, however, that people should be penalized for failing to look under FAQ before posting with a question.
Not only does this discourage people from asking questions that aren't familiar with gun terminology, but it penalizes new people for not being familiar with the website.